They've been described as a meeting between Front 242 and
Public
Enemy, and I'm not about to deny the obvious linkage. This is
agitpop
par excellence. Pulverising beats, superlative situationist
and
anti-capitalist rap, the spirit of an earthquake entrapped in
humble
vinyl. Whenever I listen to this revolution seem only a
drumbeat away
... And there's enough of a sense of irony present so that
their
violent opposition to consumerism can survive even its
packaging in
record form ie. a consumer product. Excellent stuff! Despite
trying a
little too hard to be the white version of Public Enemy, they
produce
a powerful neo-situationist critique of the music industry,
the role
of the modern musician, and capitalism in general.
Exhortations to
their audience to stop listening to this crap and get up and
take
control of their lives are a bit too preachy, but show their
versatility of approach, and ability to present their message
in
different forms to suit a broad audience. And the beats are
simply
immense. You've bought this already, haven't you?

Consolidated

Friendly Fa$cism CD (Nettwerk NET 033CD)

Consolidated's second album is a stranger affair. The rap
music is
still there, as is the seismic hardbeat. The critical analysis
of the
music industry is as potent as ever, and Consolidated appear
to be
increasingly aware of the contradictions inherent in their
position.
This is intense, knockout, humorous music. Amongst the samples
and
beats are recordings from Consolidated's live audience
participation
sessions, providing a large number of moronic comments. The
political
agenda is more distinct too, with a shift of emphasis towards
the
rights of women and the rights of animals, including Meat
Kills, a
recital on the righteousness of vegetarianism. The sharp
contrast
between their preaching and their self-aware humour couldn't
be more
clear. Their willingness to ally themselves with what I find
to be the
more idiotic excesses of radical feminism may put some people
off.
This is clearly a result of their environment: the issues they
approach and the ways they approach them are very American.
Meanwhile,
the music is a bit more laid-back than before, with nothing
quite as
scorching as the first album's Product, for example.
Nonetheless,
Consolidated remain possibly the most important rap group in
the
world. Buy this record, mindless consumer!